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Christmas Lights in Dayton, OH
The top places to see Christmas lights in Dayton this season are Woodland Lights (Nov 20 – Dec 30), Deck the Diamond (Nov 13 – Jan 2) and A Carillon Christmas / Tree of Light (Nov 24 – Dec 30). We've mapped 6 displays in Dayton and 15 more nearby (9 drive-thrus, 5 tree lightings, 5 walk-thrus). 12 are free. 3 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Dayton (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Dayton? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Dayton: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Dayton?
Popular picks this season include Woodland Lights (Nov 20 – Dec 30), Deck the Diamond (Nov 13 – Jan 2), A Carillon Christmas / Tree of Light (Nov 24 – Dec 30) and Light Up Middletown (Nov 27 – Dec 31). In all, 21 displays are mapped in and around Dayton, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Dayton?
Free options include Woodland Lights, A Carillon Christmas / Tree of Light, Light Up Middletown and Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion. 12 of the 21 displays near Dayton are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Dayton?
Yes. Light Up Middletown (Free; cash donations accepted), Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion (Ticketed; children 3 and under free) and A Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion ($15 ages 13-64, $10 ages 4-12 (2025)). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Dayton?
Yes. Deck the Diamond, Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill and Deck the Diamond at Day Air Ballpark. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Dayton?
The earliest Dayton-area displays turn on Nov 13, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
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